Garment construction



Dec. 3, 1935. E. G. DANN GARMENT .CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR El'nes ,Dann

BY l

A ORNEYS Dec. 3, 1935. E; Q DANN 2,023,194

GARMENT CONSTRUCTION Filed May 25, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 |NVENTOR BE'rnes ann A-ITORNEYS Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

rihis invention relates to a garment construction and more particularly to a belt construction for garments or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a belt construction which will be simple, practical and thoroughly reliable in operation. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which may be economically manufactured with a minimum amount of labor. An-

other object is to provide a construction of the above character which maybe readily applied to various garments as now used Without making any radical changes in the construction and design thereof. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which will be pleasing in appearance and from which ugly or cumbersome parts will be eliminated. Another object is to provide a construction of. the above character wherein the belt may be reliably maintained in an operative position without accidental displacement and yet may be easily removed. Another object is to provide a construction of the above character which will maintain a belt in a proper and desirable position with respect to the garment at all times. Other objects Will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims,

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown several of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary back elevation of a garment having the preferred form of. my belt construction applied thereto;

Figure 2 is an enlarged plan View, partially 4o fragmentary, of certain of the parts of my belt construction;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional View taken along the line firof Figure 2;

Figurev 5 is a plan View of a portion of a belt used in another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional View of the belt shown in Figure 5 secured to a garment or the like;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional View of a belt, together with other means for attaching it to a garment constituting another embodiment of my invention, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of. a portion of a garment having this embodiment of my invention applied thereto.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 5

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention, it might here be pointed out that belts for garments, as, for example, robes, dresses, or the like, have often been the object of considerable difficulty and an- 10 noyanoe to the wearer. Usually, belts are secured to such garments about the waist portions thereof by one or more loops secured to the rear of the garment through which the belt passes. Thus, the belt is free to slide through the loops and in 15 use often becomes dislodged from the loops thus necessitating its replacement and, furthermore, the belt may become entirely dislodged from the loops and lost in this manner. It is also true that belts for garments of this character are often 2ov made from exible material substantially similar to the material from which the garment is formed, and, due to the movement of the wearer and also twisting of the belt when securing it in position, the belt becomes rumpled and distorted insteadV 25 of lying flat against the garment as is desirable. One of the various objects of this invention is to provide a construction in which the several diiculties hereinabove mentioned as Well as many others will be successfully and practically over- 30 come.

Refering now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a robe or the like generally indicated at I0 as worn in use. Encircling robe Il] is a belt II passing through suitable loops generally indi- 35 cated at I2 and I3 and thus held in position substantially about the waist portion of the robe. Belt I I may be of any suitable construction having its opposite ends meeting at the front of the garment and secured together by any desirable means. 40 Garments, such as robe I0, are usually made from some exible material and I prefer to form belt I I from a material having like characteristics.

As more clearly shown in Figure 2, belt I I has formed therein a longitudinal slot I4 substan- 45 tially adjacent loop I2 and preferably at right angles thereto. I prefer to locate slot IlI so that its ends are substantially equidistant from loop I2 when belt Il occupies its normal operative position. Preferably the edges of slot I 4 are reen- 50 forced as, for example, by Way of stitches of any suitable character generally indicated at I5.

As better shown in Figures 3 and 4, loop I2 comprises two thicknesses of material I6 and I 'I folded back upon each other and suitably stitched 55 together by way of stitches I8. The opposite ends of loop I2 are also bent back upon each other and stitched to robe I9 by stitches I9. Thus, loop I2 is reliably secured to the robe against accidental displacement which might be caused by the incidents of practical use. Extending through slot I4 from robe I9 is a shank 29 which may be secured to the robe in any convenient manner as, for example, by way of a head 2|.

A button 22 is connected to the opposite end of shank 2|] so that it may be slipped through a suitable buttonhole 23 (Figure 4) formed in thickness i1, thus holding loop I2 down upon belt and yet being concealed from view. Of course, hole 23 may extend through both thicknesses I9 and I1 of the material so that button 22 appears on the outside of the loop, but concealing the button as hereinabove described has certain unique advantages.

Suitably disposed between thicknesses I6 and I? is a pair of reenforcing parts 24 and 25 preferably located adjacent the opposite sides of the loop. Parts 24 and 25 may be formed from any suitable exible material as, for example, Celluloid or whalebone, and are preferably held in position spaced from button 22 by stitches 26 extending through thicknesses I6 and I1 of the loop on the opposite sides of part 24 and on the side of part 25 opposite stitches I8. Accordingly, parts 24 and 25 act to maintain loop I2 in an extended and flatwise position with respect to robe IIIl and yet donot hinder the insertion or removal of button 22 from hole 23.

Preferably there is secured to that portion of robe I9 opposite loop I2, a strip of material 21 characterized by its relatively smooth surface. Thus, strip 21 may be made from silk, rayon, or the like. Also, the under side of loop I2 has secured thereto a strip of material 28 similar to strip 21. Thus, frictional resistance to the passage of belt II through loop I2 is reduced materially.

Turning back to Figure 1, loop I 3 is substantially similar in construction to loop I2, as described above, and belt I I has a slot 29 formed therein occupying a position with respect to loop I3 similar to the position occupied by slotA I4. Thus, the opposite ends of slot 29, when belt I I is in normal position, are substantially equidistant from loop I 3. Also, a button 30 substantially similar to button 22 is secured to garment I0 so that it may t into loop I3 in the manner described above.

In use, belt I I may be slipped vthrough loops I2 and I3 until it occupies the position shown in Figure l. Next, buttons 22 and 30 are passed through slots I4 and 29 and secured within loops I2 and I3. Belt I I is now in its operative position and it will be seen that it may move about the robe within loops I 2 and I3 in either direction a distance equal to substantially half the length of slots I4 and 29. However, belt II cannot be dislodged from either of the loops until buttons 39 and 22 are dislodged from loops I2 and I3 and slipped through the slots 4 and 29. Accordingly, belt I I is reliably retained in its operative position and yet may be easily removed when desired. It is also true that when belt I I occupies the position shown in Figure 1, it is maintained in a substantially ilatwise position with respect to robe I0 by loops I2 and i3 which are buttoned down upon the belt to prevent any rumpling or twisting of the belt. Reinforcing parts 24 and 25 cooperateto maintainloops I2 and I3 in their attened position against the belt to help hold the belt in its flat position, but it should be understood that many of the important features of my invention may be achieved with straps having no such reenforcing parts.

Turning now to Figure 5, there is shown a belt portion generally indicated at 3| of another embodiment of my invention. Preferably belt 3| 5 comprises two thicknesses 32 and 33 of material substantially similar to the material from which belt is formed. Thus, belt 3| is provided with lines of stitches 34 along its opposite longitudinal edges. Formed in thickness 33 of belt 3| is a 10 slot 35 and, as better shown in Figure 6, a reenforcing part 39 is secured to the inner side of thickness 33 substantially adjoining slot 35. Reenforcing part 36 has formed therein a slot 31 substantially similar in dimensions to slot 35 and l5 in registry therewith. Preferably I provide a line of stitches 38 extending about reenforcing part 39 and through thicknesses 32 and 33. Accordingly, there is provided in belt 3| a slot 33 adjoining a longitudinal channel 4| bounded by reenforcing 20 part 35 and thickness 32. Furthermore, reenforcing part 36 is preferably formed from a semirigid ilexible material as, for example, Celluloid or whalebone, providing a smooth surface on one side of channel 4|. 25

Belt 3| may be secured to a robe generally similar to robe I9 (Figure 1) either with or without loops, according to the particular requirements of use, a fragmentary portion of such a robe being indicated at 39 in Figure 6. Thus, a button 30 49 is secured to robe 39 substantially at the waist portion thereof by way of a shank 42 and, when belt 3| is in its operative position, shank 42 extends through slots 35 and 31 (Figure 6) so that button 49 is disposed within channel 4I resting 35 upon reenforcing part 36. Button 49 thus serves to hold belt 3| to robe 39 while permitting relative movement between the belt and the robe limited by the length of channel 4|. Another channel and slot substantially similar to slot 35 and 40 channel 4I may be provided in belt 3| and the two channels may occupy positions substantially similar to the position of slots I4 and 29 in belt II (Figure l). Of course, another button similar to button 49 is secured to robe 39 adjacent the 45 other slot and the buttons also occupy positions with respect to the channels substantially similar to the relative positions of buttons 22 and 39 in Figure 1. In this manner, belt 3| is reliably secured to robe 39 while its longitudinal move- 50 ment about the robe is limited. It will also be noted that belt 3| may be so secured to the robe without the aid of loops similar to loops I2 and I3 (Figure 1), although the provision of such loops on robe 39 has many advantages. 55 Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown an other embodiment of my invention as applied to a robe generally indicated at 43. Thus I provide a vertical slot 44 in robe 43 having applied to its opposite edges a series of parts generally indi- G0 cated `at 45 constituting the fasteners of a slide fastening apparatus. Thus, a sliding element generally indicated at 46 ts over the opposite .edges of slot 44 and may be moved along parts 45. Element 46 has a mouth portion 41 greater 65 in width than its opposite end 48, as better shown in Figure 8, so that as the element is moved in an upward direction, as viewed in the gures, it forces parts 45 into an interlocking position; there is a certain amount of frictional resistance to the movement of part 48 along slot 44 in either direction.

Secured to element 46 is a loop generally indicated at 49 comprising a relatively stiff base member 50 preferably formed from celluloid, 75

whalebone, or the like, and a strip of flexible material preferably doubled over at its opposite ends and secured to base 5B by way of stitches 52.

Accordingly, a belt 53 passes through loop 4.9, this belt being substantially simi-Ear in construction to belt i I in Figure 1. Thus, as better shownl in Figure 8, belt 53 is provided with a longitudinal slot 54, and a shank 55 (Figure '7)1 is secured toy base 50 and element 4S to extend through slot 54. A button 55 is connected to shank 55 so that it may be slipped through a. suitable buttonhole 51 provided in strip 5 i. Thus, after belt 53` has been passed through loop 49, button 5.6 may be secured to strip 5l in the position shown in Figures 7' and 8.

Constructions similar to that described above may be applied to the opposite sides of the back portion of robe 43 in a manner substantially similar to the position of loops l2 and' l'3 and slots I4 and 29 shown in Figure 1. Thus, belt 53 is free to slide relative to the robe, being limited in its movement by the length of slot 54 and its corre'- sponding slot in a manner substantially similar to the operation of belt H hereinabove described. However, in this embodiment of my invention, the wearer may also achieve a: vertical adjustment of the loops by merely pulling them in either direction. Thus, a vertical movement of loop 49 in either direction moves element 46 along slot 44. Furthermore, upon achieving a new position along slot 44, the frictional resistance to the movement of element' 45 is sufficient to retain the loop in this new position. Accordingly, not only is the longitudinal movement of belt 53 limited and the belt maintained in a. flat'- wise position with respect to the robe, but, also, th-e vertical position ci the belt and loops with respect to the robe may be changed at will.

Although the various embodiments of my invention have been hereinabove described as applied to a robe or the like, it should be understood that this invention has a much broader application and may be applied to all common. forms of garments, as, for example, gowns, dresses and coats.

ItV will thus be seen that I have provided several tho-roughly practical and efficient constructions in which the several objects hereinabove mentioned as well as manyy others are successfully achieved.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above. set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefo-re set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. In garment construction, in combination, means formingv a garment adapted to iit aboutk a substantial portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to the back portion of said garment substantially at the waist portion thereof, said loops being formed from double thicknesses of material, a substantially hat belt extending through both of said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having longitudinal slots. spaced from each other and substantially at right angles to said loops,

reeniorcing parts formed from relatively stili material secured within said thicknesses of said loops, strips of material characterized by a smooth surface secured to the sides of said loops adjacent said belt and the portions of said garment in registryr with said loops to contact said belt, shanks secured to said garment and each extending through one of said slots in said belt, and4 buttons secured to said shanks adapted to t within suitable buttonholes formed in the under thickness of said loops whereby the lon- 5 gitudinal movement of said belt about said garment is limited and the belt is maintained in a nat position.

2. In garment construction, in combination,

means forming a garment adapted to fit about a substantial portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to the back portion of said garment substantially at the waist portion thereof, said loops being formed from double thicknesses of material, a substantially nat belt extending through both of said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having longitudinal 4slots spaced from each other and substantially at right angles to said loops, reenforcing parts formed from relatively stiff material secured within said thicknesses of said loops, Shanks secured to said garment and v each extending through one of said slots in said belt, and buttons secured to said Shanks adapted tot within suitable buttonholes formed in the under thickness of said loops whereby the longitudinal movement of said belt about said garment is limited and the belt is maintained in a flat position.

3. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to fit about a substantial portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to the back portion of said garment substantially at the waist portion thereof, said loops being formed from double thicknesses of material, a substantially ilat belt extending through both of said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having longitudinal slots spaced from each other and substantially at right angles to said loops, 40 strips of material characterized by a smooth surface secured to the sides of said loops adjacent said belt to contact said belt, Shanks secured toY said garment and each extending through one of said slots in said belt, and buttons secured to said Shanks adapted to fit within suitable button holes formed in the under thickness of said loops whereby the longitudinal movement of said belt about said garment is limited and the belt is maintained in a ilat position.

4. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a pair of loops, means securing said loops to said garment so that said loops may be moved vertically with respect to said garment, a belt passing through said loops, and means coacting with said loops to limit the longitudinal movement of said belt with respect to said loops.

5. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment having a pair of verti- 50 cal tracks therein, elements adapted to ride on said tracks, a pair of loops secured to said elements, a belt extending through said loops and having a. pair of spaced slots adjacent said loop-s, and means connected to the opposite sides of said loops and extending through said slots whereby the longitudinal movement of said belt with respect to said loops is limited and the vertical position of said loops and said belt with respect to said garment may be changed at will.

6. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to t about a substantial portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to the back portion of said garment substantially at the waist portion thereof, said loops being formed from double thicknesses of material, a substantially flat belt extending through both of said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having longitudinal slots spaced from "each,

other and substantially at right angles to said loops, said slots extending along said belt to points on the opposite sides of said loops substantially equidistant therefrom, strips of material characterized by a smooth surface secured to the sides of said loops adjacent said belt to contact said belt, shanks secured to said garment and each extending through one of said slots in said belt, and buttons secured to said 'shanks adapted to fit within suitable buttonholes formed in said loops whereby the longitudinal movement of said belt about said garment is limited and the belt is maintained in a at position.

7. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to cover a substantial portion of the body, a pair of loops secured to said garment at spaced points in the vicinity of the waist portion thereof, a flat belt extending through said loops and adapted to encircle the body, said belt having a pair ofV spaced longitudinal slots formed therein substantially adjacent said loops and at right angles thereto, shanks secured to said garment and extending through said slots, and button members secured to said Shanks and adapted to button into suitable holes formed in said loops.

8. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to cover a 1substantial portion of the body, a pair of loops secured to said garment at spaced points in the vicinity of the waist portion thereof, a flat belt extending through said loops and adapted to encircle the body, said belt having a pair of spaced longitudinal slots formed therein substantially adjacent said loops and at right angles thereto, and shanks secured to said loops and said garment and extending through said slots.

9. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to cover a portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to said garment at spaced points substantially at the waist portion of said garment, a belt extending through said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having` spaced longitudinal slots formed therein substantially adjacent said loops, reenforcing parts formed from relatively stiiT material secured to said loops, and shanks secured to said loops and said garment and extending through said slots.

10. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to cover a portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to said garment at spaced points substantially at the waist portion of said garment, a belt extending through said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having spaced longitudinal slots formed therein substantially adjacent said loops, strips of material characterized by a smooth surface secured to the under side of said loops to contact said belt, and Shanks secured to said loops and said garment and extending through said slots.

11. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment adapted to cover a portion of the body, a pair of loops spaced from each other and secured to said garment at spaced points substantially at the waist portion of said garment, a belt extending through said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having spaced longitudinal slots formed therein substantially adjacent said loops, reenforcing parts formed from relatively stiii material secured to said loops, and Shanks secured to said loops and 5 said garment and extending through said slots, the portion of said garment in registry with said loops and the sides of said loops contacting said belt being formed from material having a relatively smooth surface.

12. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a belt adapted to encircle said garment when worn, said belt having a longitudinal slot of appreciable length formed therein, and means secured to said garment and l5 extending through said slot to hold said belt to said garment while permitting longitudinal movement of said belt within limits.

13. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a flat belt adapted to encircle said garment when worn, said belt having formed therein a pair of spaced longitudinal slots of appreciable length, and elements secured to said garment and extending through said slots to hold said belt to said garment while permitting relative movement between said garment and said belt Within limits.

14. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a iiat belt adapted to encircle the waist portion of said garment, said belt having a pair of spaced longitudinal slots of appreciable length formed therein, means secured to said garment and extending through each of said slots, and buttons secured to said means to hold said belt to said last-mentioned means, said last-mentioned means adapted to coact with said slots to permit relative movement between said' belt and said garment within limits.

15. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a belt adapted to 40 encircle said garment and formed from double thicknesses of material, the thickness of said belt adjacent said garment having a longitudinal slot formed therein of appreciable length but shorter than the length of said belt, reenforcing means secured to said last-mentioned thickness adjacent said slot, and a button-like part secured to said garment and adapted to t within said slot to hold said belt to said garment and permit longitudinal movement thereof within limits.

16. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a belt for said garment comprising two thicknesses of material, the thickness of said belt contacting said garment having a longitudinal slot formed therein shorter than the length of said belt, means comprising relatively stiff material secured to the inner side of said last-mentioned thickness substantially adjacent said slot, a shank secured to said garment and extending into said slot, and a button-like part secured to said shank and adapted to rest between the thicknesses of said belt and upon said last-mentioned means to hold said belt to said garment and permit relative movement between said belt and said garment within limits.

17. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a at belt for said garment adapted to encircle the waist portion thereof and being formed from two thicknesses of material, the thickness of said material in engagement with said garment having spaced longitudinal slots formed therein, reenforcing parts secured to the concealed side of said lastmentioned thickness adjacent said slots, elements adapted to iit between said thicknesses of said belt, said elements being greater in size than the Width of said slots and adapted to ride on said reenforcing parts, and means securing said elements to said garment whereby said belt is held in position on said garment and relative movement between said garment and said belt is limited.

18. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a belt adapted to encircle said garment When Worn, said belt having formed therein a pair of spaced longitudinal slots of appreciable length, shanks secured to said garment and extending through said slots, and button elements secured to said shanks over said slots to hold Said belt to said garment While permitting longitudinal movement of said belt in either direction for a distance substantially corresponding to the length of one of said slots.

19. In garment construction, in combination, means forming a garment, a plurality of loops secured to said garment and capable of relative vertical movement With respect to said garment,

a belt extending through said loops and adapted to encircle said garment, said belt having longitudinal slots formed therein, and Shanks extending through said slots and secured to the opposite side portions of said loops.

ERNEST G. DANN. 

